GOODBYE MR CHIPI

Juan Figallo, commonly known as “Chipi” joined Sarries in 2014. It was quite a gamble because he had suffered a career-ending injury the previous year playing for Argentina against the All Blacks. At the time he was registered with Montpelier (whom he joined at the age of 21) and in superb form but the neck injury was assessed as “Grade 3” and under Ligue Nationale de Rugby rules, players can not return to top flight rugby.  

.  Chipi tried to get the injury reclassified to G2 to no avail but Montpelier’s loss was Sarries gain. Rightly or wrongly, the RFU have no such reservations.  The French club were clearly sorry to lose him. Montpellier president Mohed Altrad said: "He is an exemplary player, who is a huge part of the team and the club, however, after injuring the neck with Argentina, he is no longer able to play rugby in France and this decision is very hard to accept for him as he worked hard to get back on the field; he feels ready. Juan had an opportunity to go to England. He asked us to let him go and there was no hesitation on our part to deprive him of his passion and go against his will. We wish him good luck for the future."

Chipi started playing rugby in Argentina at the age of 4. His nickname “Chipi” relates to a cartoon dragon which made jokes and originally referred to his father because he was so funny. Juan was initially called Chipi junior but eventually things swapped round – Juan became Chipi and his father became “Chipi’s dad!

Chipi was already an Argentina international, first playing for the Pumas at the age of 22. He also helped Montpelier to the Top 14 Final in 2011. In the 2011 World Cup he was named “Player of Pool B” and the best Tighthead Prop in the competition. It appeared his career was on a high  – until that day in 2013 when he injured his neck in the game in La Plata against the All Blacks. Initially it wasn’t thought to be serious but he later required surgery and a long period of rehab. Matt Stevens had left Sarries for Super Rugby which left only James Johnston at tighthead (and soon after Kieran Longbottom & Petrus du Plessis ). Interestingly Chipi joined at the same time as the legendary Jim Hamilton!

Sarries medics worked their magic and Chipi made his Saracens debut in the LV cup game against Quins (oh some names there – Itoje captained a side containing Ben Ransome, Nils Mordt, Rhys Gill, Ernst Joubert). Our reporter’s verdict “Figallo looks good with a promise of more to come”. The management must have agreed because he started the next game against Western Province before making his premiership debut the following week against Tigers. He soon made the no 3 shirt his own, anchoring the scrum and being pretty useful in the loose as well!

Chipi’s return to form didn’t go unnoticed back home. He just missed out on selection for the 2015 World Cup before being called up as a replacement for Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. He ended up as back up to Ramiro Herrera who had a stonking tournament as the Pumas reached the semi finals.

Chipi soon became a firm favourite at Allianz, not least following his dash down the A1 in February 2016 following the birth of his son in Stevenage. Having been up all night with his missus, the baby arrived safely at 11.30. Chipi kissed his wife Trini and son then headed down to Barnet to take his place on the bench and help Sarries to a huge 25-12 win over Gloucester (with 14 men for most of the game). Allegedly his arrival in the changing room was greeted with a huge cheer! Chipi went on to add a daughter to his family along with a Golden Labrador.

Chipi won 33 caps for The Pumas and played for Saracens 96 times over 6 years. Sadly his adoring public never had the chance to say goodbye. He picked up a head injury during the 2019 World Cup, ironically in the pool game against England, from which he was unable to recover, and didn’t make it back onto the pitch for the Men in Black again. He made the very difficult decision to hang up his boots earlier this month. On his Instagram he said “I am retiring from Professional Rugby, the career I always dreamt of and loved every minute of it”

Mark McCall said “Juan epitomises everything it takes to be a good teammate. A brilliant performer on the field, he has led the way in what tight head props are capable of. Off the field, Chipi struck a perfect balance of always pushing to improve his game and having fun with his teammates. He has been a great example and a mentor to our younger players.”

Forwards coach Ian Peel said “Chipi & his wife Trini went over and above to welcome my family and I to the club when I joined. He epitomises the clubs values, building strong relationships on and off the field. Enjoyment was at the forefront of everything he did which ultimately brought out the best in those around him”.

In addition to playing rugby, Chipi is also an Atlas Champion, an organisation which uses the power of rugby to help the children from the poorest communities and especially Salta. He said “It’s a way for me to give back all the good things I got from rugby”

We will all miss having Chipi around and we wish him and his family well in whatever life holds next for them. If any one would like to support Chipi and the Atlas foundation the link is here